PNP goes green: Verzosa leads underwater cleanup

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) will go beyond fighting street crime after PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa vowed to also protect the environment.

Verzosa’s announcement came after President Arroyo approved his promotion a few days ago, making him a full-fledged four-star Director General.

He said the PNP, as the stronghold of peace and order, is also committed to the government’s effort to rehabilitate and restore the coastal waters for marine biodiversity and sustainability.

“The Mamang Pulis and Aling Pulis would like to show that they are not only working to fight crime but also concerned about preserving natural resources,” he said.

Verzosa joined the PNP Maritime Group divers in scouring the deep Batangas Sea for trash as the PNP launched “Scubasurero 08” yesterday in San Juan, Batangas.

The project deals with beach and underwater cleanup to restore and rebuild the corals that serve as the habitat of marine creatures.

The cleanup, which highlights the Mamang Makakalikasan Pulis program, is in cooperation with the United Nations’ declaration of September as world ocean and coastal cleanup month.

Police officials, elected government officials and more than 100 PNP divers from the Maritime Group and PNP Special Action Force attended the launching from the national headquarters.

The Calabarzon regional police prepared the diving site, deployed adequate security and coordinated with different local and non-government organizations.

The waters of Batangas hosts a diverse variety of species, some endangered due to pollution and dynamite fishing.

Last year, Southeast Asian and Pacific nations launched a joint initiative in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia to save the “Coral Triangle,” which contains more than half the world’s reefs, considered building blocks for marine life.

Promoted

“This will inspire me more to prove myself worthy of the trust and confidence of the President and the Filipino people,” said Verzosa of his promotion as the 15th PNP chief.

In his first public appearance on the PNP’s TV show Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis (TSIP) on Friday, Verzosa said,

“This is professional fulfillment of every career officer.” – With Jaime Laude